Back to the Founding Text: The Declaration’s Promise of Equality Still Shapes America
TL;DR Summary
As the US marks 250 years, a Guardian op-ed argues the Declaration of Independence remains the country’s enduring benchmark: its language on equality, rights and consent of the governed has repeatedly inspired reform—from Lincoln’s use of its ideals to the Civil War amendments and the civil rights movement—while also being invoked to justify oppression. The piece urges Americans to heed the Declaration’s call “Be true to what you said on paper,” recognizing that its unfinished promises require continued effort and vigilance in today’s political landscape.
Topics:nation#civil-rights-and-amendments#consent-of-the-governed#declaration-of-independence#equality-and-rights#lincoln-and-the-gettysburg-address#politics
- ‘All men are created equal’: America has lost its values. It’s time to go back to the founding text | Ted Widmer The Guardian
- The Second Continental Congress wrote the Declaration. Is Congress today living up? NPR
- Why the nation’s founding document is marred by stains, a mysterious handprint The Washington Post
- The enemies of American freedom also had the upper hand on July 4, 1776 Chicago Sun-Times
- The Declaration contains perhaps the greatest sentence ever crafted by human hand MS NOW
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